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Amy Guy English 2nd Hr. November 22, 1999 Compare/contrast Oedipus and Creon as Leaders In the plays Oedipus of Rex and Antigone by Sophocles, Oedipus and Creon exert similar characteristics as leaders that ultimately result in their characterization as tragic heroes. Their overbearing determination, relentless pride, uncontrollable fate, and enormous grievances all portray the inevitable outcome. Sophocles writes that the characters in the plays are chasten not because of something they had done in the past …

…and how they want to take everything back, but they can't. Therefore they live in their misery. Such catharsis that pours from the audience is unbearable. In brief, the actions and words of Oedipus and Creon can account for their poor leadership, but fate played the upper hand. Fate did not allow for Oedipus or Creon to rule long enough to have the experience to be considered wise, noble leaders who could face any situation.